Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, CDN, FAND, is Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Affairs, School of Health Professions, where she provides undergraduate programmatic academic leadership, develops new programs and initiatives, and assists with faculty recruiting and mentoring. In addition, student recruitment, admissions, advisement, and graduation are also her responsibilities. As chair of the New York Tech's Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, she oversees the undergraduate degrees in health sciences, health and wellness and exercise science and the graduate clinical nutrition masters and certificate programs. Haar has taught and developed courses in Lifestyle and Weight Management, Professional and Cultural Issues in Healthcare and Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and currently teaches Community Nutrition. She is active in on-campus committees and initiatives that promote the development of blended and online formats that make optimal use of technology. Her research has focused on factors affecting the perception of community and interactivity in health science coursework as well as health and wellness across the lifecycle.
Haar graduated cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She earned her M.S. degree in nutrition education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Ph.D. in health sciences from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, a New York State-certified dietitian/nutritionist, a New York State-certified early interventionist and an American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer. In May 2015, she was designated as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and in June 2022 invited to be a member of the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics of the New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions.
Recent Projects/Research
- Co-developer of community garden on the New York Tech campus managed and tended by health sciences students and produce supplier to Bear Bytes Grizzly Cupboard pantry.
- Co-investigator of LifeSteps grant where health professions students trained as health coaches provide lifestyle change support to community participants.
- Nutrition reviewer of NYITCOM gerontology case studies modules for training of new primary care physicians.
- Nutrition module developer for Web-based nutrition education project for allied health students.
Publications and Presentations
- Haar, M, Hercman, R. (2022) Awkward Topics: Discussing weight with your patients. Physician Assistant Clinics 7(4) 589-598.
- Rothstein, A, Haar, M. (2020) Best practices for encouraging student participation both face-to-face and virtual environments Journal of Allied Health 49(4) E161-E165.
- Haar, M. (2018) Increasing sense of community in higher education nutrition courses using technology. Journal of the Nutrition Education and Behavior 50(1), 96-99.
- Haar, M. (podium) “Using new technologies to bridge the virtual distance in online health education delivery formats” 144th American Public Health Association Annual Conference, Denver, CO, November 1, 2016.
- Haar, M. (podium) "Bridging the virtual distance in online courses." Association of Schools of Public Health Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, October, 2015.
- Haar, M. (podium) "Changing attitudes and practices in healthcare regarding obesity in older adults. "State Society on Aging of New York 42nd Annual Conference, New York, NY, October 2014
- Haar, M., Scanlan, C. (2014) Building sense of community in online formats. The Department Chair: A Resource for Academic Administrators, 25, (1) 22-23. DOI 10.1002/dch.20068
- Haar, M., Scanlan, C. (2012) Factors associated with perception of community in allied health students. Journal of Allied Health. 41, (3) 123-130.
- Haar, M. (invited speaker) "Is there a proactive diet to reduce risk of breast cancer?" Gannett Education and National Breast Cancer Foundation Continuing Education Webinar, October, 2012.
Honors and Awards
- New York Tech School of Health Professions Teaching Award, 2022
- Presidential Excellence Team Award, 2022 for work on Bear Bytes committee
- New York Tech Faculty Scholar Honoree, 2009 and 2011–2015
- New York Tech School of Health Professions Standard of Excellence Award for Outstanding Service, 2006–2007
Courses Taught at New York Tech
- CLNU 787: Independent Study in Nutrition
- CLNU 635: Community Nutrition
- NTSI 201: Introduction to Clinical Nutrition Practice
- NTSI 410: Life Cycle Nutrition